Weekly Report: MTC Week 4

As the weeks to pass here in the MTC I am struck by what seems to be a time paradox. It seems that it was just a moment ago that I sat typing at this exact same computer, yet it feels at the same time that I have been here for centuries. Seriously, my hair is turning grey. (I have actually noticed, to my great alarm that there are more gray strands than before, but this may be because I can get a good look at them with my hair parted). Whatever the time flow though, I am happy to be in such a wonderful place in which I have such a great opportunity to learn how to bring the Gospel to those who are prepared to recieve it.

We have instituted a new thing in our district called DDT. While this sounds like pest control, it's actually an accronym that I chose for Dynamic District Teaching. We teach Elders Sanford and Olsen different Chinese skills, and they teach us advanced teaching techniques. I feel like it has been such a great blessing to our district and our learning.

At lunch yesterday we were joking with Sister Tan, after which she began to pout because she claimed we were mocking her. I then asked for her forgiveness, forgetting that there is a term for God's forgiveness (kuan1shu4) which is not used for forgiveness from mere mortals. I used the godly form. Oops. Then Sister Austin said "much as she wants to believe it, she's not God so she can't grant that for you." Sister Tan then said in somewhat awkward and broken Chinese that she is the Lord's servant and therefore has his authority. Never have I laughed so hard and yet at the same time been so afraid for someone's eternal salvation.

This week has been a little harder, I felt like there were some things that happened just so that I would have more trials with my teaching, but everytime when I turned to the Lord and faithfully put one foot in front of the other, I was blessed with amazing ability that was beyond my own. I would suggest that as we all experience trials in our lives, that we try to turn to the Lord. I promise you as you do, you will be blessed with power that is not your own. It is truly wonderful.
Love,
Elder Siebert